Driver who hit boy at bus stop placed on probation

Raleigh, N.C. — An Apex woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to passing a stopped school bus last year and hitting a 12-year-old boy.

Rita Braman, 51, of 2412 Optimist Farm Road, was sentenced to 45 days in jail, which was suspended to one year on unsupervised probation.

Cary police said Joey Liptak, a Carnage Middle School student, was crossing Penny Road at Crickentree Drive on March 13, 2009, when Braman struck him. Liptak was treated at and released from WakeMed.

Police said the school bus' safety arm was out and its lights were flashing, and Braman approached from the opposite direction and failed to stop.